Baker Mayfield injury update: Bucs QB (shoulder) trending toward starting vs. Cardinals, per Todd Bowles
Mayfield left last week's loss to the Rams but returned to practice on Friday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is trending toward starting his team's Week 13 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, coach Todd Bowles told reporters on Friday.
Mayfield injured his non-throwing shoulder on a first-half hit during last week's 34-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Bowles told reporters Wednesday that backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater would get the majority of starting reps ahead of Sunday's matchup as Mayfield was held out of practice. Mayfield, who reportedly sustained a low-grade strain to his shoulder, was a limited participant Thursday but was back in practice Friday, leading to a more positive outlook for Sunday's game.
"He was very limited on Wednesday, he did a little more yesterday and he moved around perfectly today, so he's fine," Bowles said Friday.
After Mayfield's initial injury in the first quarter of the Week 12 game, Mayfield re-aggravated his shoulder on a Hail Mary attempt in the second quarter. Mayfield did not play the rest of the game and spent the second half in a sling as Tampa Bay lost its third straight game. On Wednesday, Bowles said Mayfield was "sore" and his availability would come down to how he felt at the end of the week.
The Buccaneers (6-5) started the season 6-2, but this rough patch in recent weeks squandered their lead in the NFC South. Now tied with the Carolina Panthers at the top of the division, the Buccaneers are the No. 4 seed in the NFC with six games to play. Tampa Bay is gunning for its sixth straight divisional crown, but Mayfield's availability is paramount to reaching the postseason.
Mayfield threw a touchdown pass and two interceptions in the first half of Sunday's loss in Los Angeles before exiting the game. He was among the league's leading MVP candidates through the first six games before the schedule stiffened.
The Buccaneers host the Cardinals, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons over the next three weeks. Now in his third season with the Buccaneers, Mayfield made 45 consecutive starts and has not missed a game since 2022, when a high ankle sprain with the Panthers caused him to miss time.
Mayfield has thrown for 2,406 yards and 18 touchdowns this season with a 60.8 QBR, the second-highest rating of his career.
